Knitting machine



5mm 1958 P. LELEU 2,821,072

KNITTING MACHINE Filed March 27, 1953 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. PKW

Jan 28, 1958 P. LELEU 2,21,972

KNITTING MACHINE Filed March 27, 1953 5 Sheets-Sheet 2' PIE'RRE LELEU 5Y Jan, 28 W58 P. LELEU Z SZLWZ KNITTING MACHINE 7 Filed March 27, 1953 1 5 Sheets-Sheet s IPIVENTDR. PIERRE LE L.EL/

Jane 2s, 19% P. LELEU 232mm KNITTING MACHINE Filed March 27, 1953 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 A w. i: H Hill]! fillllllllllfillhfi PIERRE Lp-zuzu 1953 P. LELEU 2,821,072

KNITTING MACHINE Filed March 27, 1953 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 RRE LELEU trite Knitting machines are already known for domestic or artisans use comprising a carriage which moves along a bar fixed to the machine.

The carriage works in both directions, raising and lowering the needles with each stroke to and fro.

These machines equipped with a carriage Working in both directions only enable a very limited number of designs to be carried out.

The object of the present invention is more particularly to obviate this disadvantage by producing a knitting machine in which the travelling carriage operating the needles furthermore pivots on the frame of the machine, which enables the carriage to work in one direction for raising the needles and in both directions for lowering the needles, and thus produce very varied designs.

Another purpose of the invention is to produce a knitting machine in which the carriage carries cams controlling the movement of the needles and enabling stitches to be made, the cams being distinguished by the Work that each of them does:

(a) rising cams which raise the needles to the maximum.

(b) falling cams which lower the needles.

Other objects and aspects of the invention will be shown in the description which follows.

A knitting machine according to the invention is shown, by way of non-restrictive example, in the attached drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a view of the back part of the machine.

Figure 2 is a view of the machine seen from the left.

Figure 2 is a view of the machine seen from the left showing more particularly a means of moving the carriage on the frame according to a varient of Figure 2.

Figure 2 is a view of the underneath of the carriage of Figure 2 Figure 3 is a view of the top of the carriage.

Figure 4 is a view underneath the carriage.

Figure 5 is a view of the left of the carriage through the line V--V of Figure 3.

Figure 6 is a view of the left of the carriage through the line VIVI of Figure 4.

Figures 7 and 8 show diagrammatically how the cams work for making a stitch.

Figure 9 shows diagrammatically the movement of the needles during the first stroke.

Figure 9 shows diagrammatically a stitch being made during the second stroke.

Figure 10 is a perspective view showing the various members which form the casting of the machine.

Figure 11 is a diagrammatic view showing how the wool is passed by hand under the crochet-hooks of the needles.

The machine shown in the attached drawings consists essentially of a frame 1 resting on the ground by the feet 2, and provided with a casting 3 at the upper part, on which the needles 4 move. A carriage 5 travels on the frame of the machine, this carriage pivoting and enabling very varied designs to be carried out, and work States Patent 2,821,072 Patented Jan. 28, 1958 ing always in one direction when the needles require to be raised.

For the descent of the needles, the carriage works at one time from right to left, at another time from left to right, according to the side from which the wool com mences.

The carriage 5 is fitted so as to travel and pivot on a bar situated at the bottom and rear part of the machine.

The carriage slides along this bar 6 through guides 7 which are fixed-by welding, for example-4o this carriage (Figure 2).

According to Figures 2 and 2 the carriage 5 slides along the bar 6 through the intermediary of rollers 7 which are turnably carried by the carriage 5.

These rollers 7 are four in number.

The carriage 5 carries cams 8, 9, 10 controlling the movement of the needles mounted on a casting and en abling the stitches to be formed. These cams have respectively a working position and a disengaged position.

The cams 8, 9, 10 are distinguished by the work which they carry out separately: the rising cam 8 which raises the needles to the maximum, the falling cams 9 and 10 which lower the needles.

The rising cam 8 is mounted movably on the carriage 5 and is carried by an axle 11 which can move alternately under the action of a lever 12 which is mounted so as to pivot at 13 on the axle 11. A spring 14, inserted between the internal surface 8 of the rising cam 8 and the internal surface 5 of the carriage 5, enables the cam 8 to return to its initial position. The spring 14 is held guided, between the cam 8 and the carriage 5, by a sleeve 15 which is fixed to this carriage.

One of the falling earns 10 is mounted fixed to the carriage 5 and placed to the left of the rising cam and the upper part of the carriage.

The other falling cam 9 is movably mounted on the carriage and placed to the right of the rising cam 8.

The movable falling cam 9 is carried by an axle 16 sliding in a groove 17 of the carriage 5 and controlled in its movement by a lever 18 pivoting at 19 on the ex ternal surface of the carriage 5.

The movable falling cam 9 is returned to its initial position by a spring 20 fixed, on the one hand, at the top part to the axle 16, and on the other hand, to an axle 21 placed at the lower part of the carriage 5.

The lever 18 which enables the movable falling cam 9 to move, is limited in its movement by an adjustable check 22 mounted on the carriage 5 by means of a screw 23. At its lower end, this check 22 has a groove 24 sliding on a fixing screw 23. A bar 25 is arranged in front of the machine so as to retain the stitches and prevent them from following the needles.

The bar 25 retaining the stitches is supported by catches 26 fitted to the top part of the carriage 5 and held on these catches 26 by springs 27 fixed, on the one hand, to each end of this bar, and on the other, to axles 28 which project from and are mounted on the back part of the carriage 5. The purpose of these springs 27 is also to hold the bar 25 against the casting 3.

A brush 29 mounted on the top part of a thin plate 30 fixed by a bolt and nut 31 and 32 to the carriage 5 prevents the latches 4 of the needles from closing when the latter are in the most advanced position, and enables the wool to be engaged in the latch 4 of the needle for making the next stitch.

The casting 3 consists of a single member or the superposition of thin plates 3 3 3 3 3 fixed to each other by axles 33 33 33 to form a block of the same shape as known castings. These thin plates have different sections. The needles are mounted on the thin plate 3 and held on the casting by a plate 34 of the same length as the casting 3. This plate 34 is held on the casting by means of the screws' 35 The needles in the bottomposition are checked by a bar 36 which is fixed to the carriage 5 by a screw 37.

The knitting machine described above operates in the following manner: a number of needles is arranged on themachine according to the number of knitting stitches whichare to be made. The carriage is moved to the-right ofthese needles, for example:

In stroke.The rising cam 8 is put into operation, whereas the falling cam 9 is disengaged. The carriage is moved from right to left by means of the handles 38 and 39.

The needles are raised to the maximum high position (A) by the rising cam 8, then lowered again to a suitable (C) level H to collect the wool by the falling cam (position IIIHI of Figure 9). The wool is passed by hand from right to left, held under the crochet-hooks of the needles for theentire length of the needles at work as per Figure 11. 7

2nd str0ke.The carriage being stopped to the left, it is brought back to the right by causing it to pivot on its guide bar and so that the cams are not in contact with the needles which do not alter their position during this maneuver.

The carriage is on the right. The falling cam 9 is put into action, the rising cam 8 being disengaged, the carriage is brought from right to left. The needles situated at theheight H with regard to the initial height B descend to that position under the action of the falling cam 9, a row of stitches is made and the Wool remains stopped to the left (position IV of Figure 9).

A fresh start is made as for the first stroke for raising the needles, but at the following stroke, the wool being placed from left to right, the carriage will also operate from left to right to make the row of stitches, and the cycle recommences, as at the beginning of our 'first example.

It is also possible to operate the carriage several times in succession in the same direction by turning thecarriage about the guide bar away from the casting when the carriage moves in the reverse direction, so that the needles are actuated when the carriage moves in one direction any desired number of times but need not be actuated when the carriage moves in the reverse direction.

What I claim is:

1. ha knitting -machine, in combination, a frame; a casting supported by said frame; knitting needles slidably mounted on said casting; aguidingbar situated at the backof the frame; and a carriage for operating the needles, said carriage being mounted for sliding and pivoting movement on said guiding bar for deviating from or coming closer to the casting.

'2. In a knitting machine, .in combination, a frame; a casting supported by said frame; knitting needles slidably mounted on said casting; a guiding bar situated at the back of the frame; and a carriage for operating the needles, said carriage being provided with rollers which roll on the guiding bar and being mounted for pivoting on said bar was to deviate from or come closer to the casting.

'3. In a'knitting machine,=in combination,.a frame; a casting supported by said frame; knitting needles slidably mounted on said casting; a. guiding barsituatedat the back of the frame; a carriage for sliding and pivoting movement on said guiding barso as to'deviate from or come closer to the casting; and, cam means on said .carriage for controlling the movement of the needles for making stitches.

4. In a 'knitting,;ma'chine, 'in combination, a frame; a casting supported by 'said frame; knitting needles slidably mounted on said casting; arguiding bar situated at the backpart of the -;frame; and a carriagemountedfor sliding and pivotal-"movement on said bar so asftodeviate from or come closer'to the casting, said carriage being-provided with a :{ifiing cam which raises the needles and falling cams which lower the needles, some of said cams being mounted on said carriage for movement between a working position and a disengaged position.

5. In a knitting machine, in combination; a casting supported by said frame; knitting needles slidably mounted on said casting; a guiding bar situated at the back of the frame; a carriage for controlling the needles mounted for sliding and pivotal movement on said guiding bar so as to deviate from or come closer to the frame; a rising cam movably mounted on the carriage; an axle carrying said cam; and a lever mounted for pivotal movement on said axle for moving the latter.

6. In arknitting machine, in combination, a frame; a casting supported bysaid frame; knitting needles slidably mounted on said casting; a guiding bar situated at the back of the frame; a carriage for controlling the needles mounted for sliding and pivotal movement on said guiding barso as to deviate from or come closer to the frame; a rising cam movablymounted on the carriage; an axle carrying said cam; a lever-mounted for pivotal movement on said axle; and a spring inserted between an'inside face of said rising cam and an inside face of said carriage for returning said cam to its initial position.

7. In a knitting machine, in combination, a frame; a casting-supported .by said frame; knitting needles slidably mounted on said casting; a guiding bar situated at the back ofthe frame;-and' a carriage for controlling the needles mounted for sliding and pivotal movement on said guiding bar so as to deviate from or come closer to said frame, said carriage being provided with one; rising and two fallingcams, one of said falling cams being fixed to the carriageand arranged to one side of said rising cam, at a toppart of saidcarriage, jand-the other of said falling. cams being movably mounted on said carriage and arranged on theother side of said risiug cam.

8. In a knitting machine, in combination, a frame; a casting supported by said frame;;knittiug needles-slidably mounted on said casting; a guiding bar situated :at the back of the frame; a carriage for controlling the needles mounted for sliding andpivotal movement ';on said guiding bar so as to :deviate fromor come closerto the frame, said carriage being formed with a groove and provided with one rising'and two falling cams, 'one of said falling cams being fixed to the carriage and arranged to one side of said rising cam at a top part of said carriage; an axle slidably located in said groove of said carriage and carrying the other of said fallingcams; and a lever pivotally mounted on said carriage for controlling the movement of said axle and said other fallingcam therewith.

9. In a knitting machine, in combination, a frame; a casting supported "by said frame; knitting needles slidably mounted on said casting; a guiding bar situated at the back of-the frame; a carriage for controlling the needles mounted for sliding and pivotal-movement ;on said guiding bar so as to deviate-from or come closer to the frame, said carriage being formed with a groove and provided with one-rising and two falling cams, one of said falling cams being fixed to the carriage and arranged -to one side' of said rising cam at a top part of said carriage; an axle slidably-mounted in said groove of said carriage and carryingthe other of said falling cams; a lever pivotally mounted on said carriage for controlling the movement of said axle :and said other falling cam therewith; and a recoil spring acting on'said other falling cam.

10. In a knitting machine, in combinatiorn'a frameya casting supported by said frame; knitting needles'slidably mounted on said casting; a guiding bar situated at the back of the frame;'a carriage for controlling the needles mounted for sliding and pivotal movement on said guiding bar so as todeviate fromor come closer to the frame, this carriage being formed with a groove and provided with one rising, and two falling cam's,.,0ne

of said falling cams being fixed to the carriage and arranged to one side of said rising cam at a top part of said carriage; an axle slidably located in said groove of said carriage and carrying the other of said falling cams; a lever pivotally mounted on said carriage for controlling the movement of said axle and said other falling cam therewith; and an adjustable check on said carriage to limit the stroke of said lever.

11. In a knitting machine, in combination, a frame; a casting supported by said frame; knitting needles slidably mounted on said casting; a guiding bar situated at the back of said frame; a carriage for controlling the needles, said carriage being mounted for sliding and pivotal movement on said guiding bar so as to deviate from or come closer to said casting; and a bar arranged in front of the machine so as to retain the stitches and prevent them from following the needles.

12. In a knitting machine, in combination, a frame; a casting supported by said frame; knitting needles slidably mounted on said casting; a guiding bar situated at the back of said frame; a carriage for controlling the needles, said carriage being mounted for sliding and pivotal movement on said guiding bar so as to deviate from or come closer to said casting; a bar for retaining the stitches, at least two catches fitted to the top of said carriage and supporting said bar; springs fixed to each end of said bar for holding the latter on said catches; and axles projecting from and mounted on the back part of the carriage and also being connected to said springs, the springs also having the effect of maintaining said bar against said casting.

13. In a knitting machine, in combination, a frame; a casting supported by said frame; knitting needles slidably mounted on said casting; a guiding bar situated at the back of said frame; 'a carriage for controlling the needles, said carriage being mounted for sliding and pivotal movement on said guiding bar so as to deviate from or come closer to said frame; a brush; a thin plate fixed on the carriage and having a top portion carrying said brush, this brush preventing the latches of the needles from closing when the latter are in the most advanced position, and enabling the wool to be engaged in the latches of the needles for making the next stitch.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 611,751 Gearhart Oct. 4, 1898 FOREIGN PATENTS 50,283 Ger-many Jan. 2, 1890 462,547 Italy Mar. 23, 1951 

